Two Carrier Groups Are Now Operating In The China Sea

The USS George Washington
and the USS John
C. Stennis aircraft carrier strike groups (CSGs), a flotilla
of five ships and more than 10,000 Navy personnel are now
operating in the conflict ridden South China Sea area.

The news was announced by the
Navy a few days ago, but is now making the rounds in Asian
media outlets, and generating as much speculation as it is
concern.

The Washington will be operating in the East China Sea near the
disputed Diaoyutai islands controlled by Japan, but claimed by
both Taiwan and China.

The Stennis will be operating south of the Diaoyutai's in the
South China Sea, where territorial disputes between China and its
regional neighbors have been
making headlines for months.

There is speculation that the carrier assignments could
just be coincidence, and while that's possible it's just as
likely that the U.S. is doing it's part to fulfill three separate
treaty obligations to allies in the region.

Ralph Jennings at The Christian Science Monitor points
out that the U.S. is "obligated by security pacts or acts
of Congress to help defend Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines –
all located off the east coast of rising military power and US
cold-war rival China."

In addition to the carrier groups, and two air wings comprising
about 120 aircraft,
Focus Taiwan reports the amphibious assault ship the
USS Bonhomme Richard and two escorts are operating in the
nearby Philippine Sea.

Whether the U.S. is looking to reassure Japan, keep China in
check, or simply rotating ships around a new schedule, there's
little doubt many are taking consolation in the fact that the
U.S. generally deploys
three carriers to a region when planning for war.